Cranks but won't start-1998

1998 Exploer XLT - Worked great until this year (2004) - Parked it on a downhill slope 6 months ago. It would crank fine, but not turn over. After we moved it to a level area and left it for a day, it started fine. The mechanic wasn't sure what caused it--he replaced it the PCM Power Relay. It's worked great for 6 months. A friend of ours borrowed the vehicle and parked it on a downhill (front end lower than back end) and the same thing happened. It cranks fine, but won't start. Appreciate any help!!

I realize this is way late; just going through TSB's for my own new Explorer to find out what to watch for, and I think this is just what you needed:

Engine - No Start/Parked On Incline w/Nose Down
Article No.
99-22-3

11/01/99

NO START - VEHICLE PARKED ON INCLINE WITH
VEHICLE NOSE DOWN AND 1/4 TANK OF FUEL

FORD:
1997-2000 EXPLORER

MERCURY:
1997-2000 MOUNTAINEER

ISSUE
A no start condition when vehicle is parked on an incline with the vehicle in a nose down position and less than 1/4 tank of fuel may occur. This may be caused by the fuel pump sender assembly not reaching far enough into the front portion of the fuel tank reservoir when the vehicle is parked in this position.

ACTION
Replace fuel pump/sender assembly with a revised fuel pump/sender assembly. Refer to the appropriate model year Workshop Manual, Section 310-01, for removal and installation instructions.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

XL2Z-9H307-DA Fuel Pump/Sender Assembly
(1999-2000)

F7PZ-9H307-BA Fuel Pump/Sender Assembly
(1997-1998)

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage And Emission Warranty Coverage For 2000 Model Year Only

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

992203A Replace Fuel Pump 1.3 Hrs.

DEALER CODING

1998 Exploer XLT - Worked great until this year (2004) - Parked it on a downhill slope 6 months ago. It would crank fine, but not turn over. After we moved it to a level area and left it for a day, it started fine. The mechanic wasn't sure what caused it--he replaced it the PCM Power Relay. It's worked great for 6 months. A friend of ours borrowed the vehicle and parked it on a downhill (front end lower than back end) and the same thing happened. It cranks fine, but won't start. Appreciate any help!!

My 98 explorer does the same thing if the gas tank is low. This happens because the gas runs to the front of the tank where the fuel pump will not pull it into your fuel lines. After sitting for a period of time, the fuel drains out of the fuel lines causing an out of gas condition. The fix is to keep your tank at least 1/2 full when parking nose downhill or park nose uphill and you won't have the problem. Also, if you leave your explorer runing on a hill nose downward, it will run out of gas and will not start until pushed back to level ground!